Combining colors to wear with your neutrals can be rather intimidating to some. This Spring a lot of the “clashing” rules are out the window and “Helloooo” red and hot pink…together again. I see an 80’s influence with the combinations. I recently gave my niece one of my favorite red sweatshirt dresses circa 1982-ish (can’t believe I still had that hiding out) I told her I used to pair it with cobalt blue tights and accessories. She wrinkled her nose in disgust, but I mentioned it is all back in style with bold color combinations.

Warm colors are reds, yellows, golds, oranges, yellow-green (which I refer to as “Kermit the Frog” green). These colors are exciting, energetic and stimulating to wear.
Cool colors such as blue, purple, blue/green are more relaxing and tranquil to wear.

Crazy color combinations have their time and place, so here is a guide to some color combo’s that start with a neutral base and will keep your office image on the right track.

Black- Works with all colors. Now that was an easy one!

Brown try with: with pink, lavender, yellow, orange, rust/red, white, gray (very chic), dark blue, green (with lime green is one of my favorite combinations), peach, turquoise, powder blue, ivory, gold, beige, camel.

Navy try with; white, reds, ivory, yellow, bright greens, pink, light blue, turquoise, hot pink, gray, purple

Olive try with;orange,red, brown, ivory, gold, ivory, camel,black, yellow

Ivory and White- good with all colors

Gray try with;brown, black, pink, peach, navy, lime green, blue, purple, lavender, yellow, red

Camel try with; brown, black, gray, navy, white, ivory, red, olive, yellow,blue

Taupe try with; ivory, white, brown, black, blue, red, pink, green

Dressing men is one of my favorite things, because just a few tips can make a big difference for you. I have dressed many men on television and in private life. As an image and fashion consultant I know just what is needed.
It does not matter what shape you are. You can have a body like Brad Pitt or SpongeBob, and still look great, IF you know what to wear.

Broaden your chest:

• Lighter colors and interesting details around shoulders in clothing will make you appear broader
• Avoid clothes fitting too tight unless you are going for the scrawny, rock star look
• Heavier, textured fabrics and knits will give you needed upper body bulk
• Slightly wider lapels on jackets (now don’t get crazy on me and do a total ‘70’s flashback)

Take my belly …please!

• Vertical stripes will give you a long lean look. Look here >>>>>>>
• Dark and muted colors are best to camouflage, along with lightweight, soft, matte fabrics. Never shiny.
• Shirts too baggy will only make you look bigger. Skim the body, Baby!
• Wear your pants at your waist guys! Under the belly will make you look heavier. Trust me on this one!
• Monochromatic dressing will always make you look like you lost 10 lbs

Do not forget to look at the “rear view”

If you have a full-size butt:
• Pants need to be a bit looser (I am not talking clown styles here), relaxed, easy fit. Flat fronts will work but make sure they are not so tight that the front pockets stick out on the sides, go up a size if needed
• Waistline of pant should not be too high. Otherwise, your butt will look even bigger. Think elephant!
• Keep pants dark and sleek. Pants with a lot of “whistles and bells” will add attention to hip area
If you have a pancake butt:
• Back pocket details such as flaps add heft
• Baggy pants still not good here, makes your butt look flatter
• Jackets and long shirt tails that hit below the hip are best for camouflage

So there, you have my image tips for emphasizing the positive and eliminating the negative.

Fashionably Yours,

Lori Ann

Pants… I can hear women across the globe gasp at trying to find a brand that fits them perfectly. I have clients here at LAR Consultants that would rather chew off their arms (KIDDING, but YOU know what I mean), then be in a dressing room trying on endless styles and manufacturers offerings. Here are some of my tips that will keep you from saying:

“Honey,do these pants make my butt look big”

If you follow these tips, compliments will be ENDless. Get it, wink, wink

Back pockets- do you even use them? If you are fuller in the tush they add bulk, have a tailor remove. Always remove the pocket lining if it shows through. If you have a small flat butt, pockets will be “your friend” and give you the appearance of a fuller backside.

Belt loops- they can be removed too in most cases. No need for the extra bumps they cause under tops

The rise- aka the crotch length. This is the area that really needs to fit well, especially when you are walking. You don’t want the crotch fabric to crease and crunch up. Looks baaaaddd, TRUST ME! If the crotch is too long, and you LOVE the pant, the crotch can be shortened from the waistband. Can be a pricey alteration.

Pleats? – NO, they are dated, and they make your thighs and tummy look bigger. Flat across the front is best. There should be no pulling at the zipper area.

Drape- the fabric should show your shape, not be creasing or cupping under your rear. Fluid, soft fabrics are often the most flattering. Pants with lining tend to camouflage lumps and bumps.

Side pockets- those pesky little details should be avoided if you have wide hips. They often will wing out as you walk and who needs that?

Length-one of the biggest pant mistakes I see is having pants hemmed to short. There should be a break in the front, and the bottom of the pant leg should slant towards the back. Pant should hit ½ inch from bottom of hi-heel, or at the top of the heel if the shoe is a flat. Excessive dry-cleaning and/or washing shrink fabric a bit, so the length may be affected. Bring the shoes you will be wearing when shopping, especially if the store has alteration service. If you want to wear the pant with flats AND hi- heels it is a good idea to get two pairs to accommodate heel heights.

Fashionably Yours

This is always a hot button image and fashion topic. Should we or shouldn’t we. There is a new generation of women in the workplace that do not even own a pair of pantyhose. This I know first hand with my clients. I have mixed views on the pantyhose dilemma.
I find that women on the west coast do not wear, while many east coast women do. It all depends on the industry and geographical area in which you work and reside. Now with business casual in the mix some of those rules are lightened up. Many of my clients in Los Angeles cringe when I mention hose, some even say they are allergic to them! I must say there is a lot of power in the pantyhose when it comes to smoothing out the body under many fashions. If you would never be caught wearing them, there is always shapewear to keep you looking sleek.

If you do wear pantyhose, I prefer very sheer nude for daytime (Donna Karan, Calvin Klein and Nordstrom’s own brand have a good variety) closest to your skin tone, not those suntan hose that make your legs look like carrots. The spray on color works well especially if you start out slowly, and layer the product to the right shade.